DICKMAN ON RACING: Racers accept risks for adrenaline rush

On Sunday the racing community unexpectedly lost one of its own with the death of 2-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon.

Wheldon, 33, died in a 15-car wreck at Las Vegas in an accident that started when Wade Cunningham's car swerved on the track and JR Hildrebrand drove over the left rear of Cunningham's car. Hildebrand went airborne, while Cunningham's car shot up into the wall, causing a chain reaction. Wheldon's car looked to drive over a car driven by Paul Tracy and his car also went airborne and spun into the catch fence. All of this happened at speeds near 225 mph.

Wheldon was pronounced dead at 1:54 p.m. Sunday at University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where he was flown by medical helicopter after the crash at the track about 12 miles away.

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Wheldon became the fourth IndyCar driver to be involved in a fatal accident since the series began in 1996 and the first since Paul Dana at Homestead in 2006 during a practice.

Wheldon is survived by his wife Susie, and two sons, 2-year-old Sebastian and 6-month-old Oliver.

Having watched racing for 30 years, from the local dirt scene at the Mt. Pleasant Speedway to NASCAR and IndyCar, seeing Sunday's tragedy was just a dark reminder of what can happen at any time to these athletes - and yes they are athletes in every sense of the word.. Every racer no matter what form of the sport they are in knows the next race could be his or her last but for many it's an addiction and a love that keeps them coming back.

"It's like a drug, once you do it you're hooked and nothing, no matter how bad could make you stop," said Clare resident and local Street Stock driver at Merritt Raceway and Mt. Pleasant Speedway Kevin Crawford Jr.

While the risks at your local short track like Mt. Pleasant, Merritt, Crystal Motor Speedway, or I-96 Speedway may not be as high as those drivers at the NASCAR or IndyCar level, they still exist as drivers in the top local classes like the Late Model or Modifieds can get going in excess of 90 to 100 miles per hour on a three-eighths mile track.

"I think about the dangers every time," said Mt. Pleasant resident and 20-year veteran Alvie Haynes. "It's the adrenaline and excitement that keeps me coming back. When it's in your blood it's in your blood."

A family man with his wife Heather at the racetracks weekly showing support, along with their 13-year-old daughter Shania, and 17-year-old son Richie, who got into racing full-time last season, Haynes said he says a prayer before each race for himself and the safety of the other drivers.

"As soon as the green flag drops, it's out of your mind," he said of the thought of the danger. "It just disappears."

For Modified racer Kevin Miller and his wife Mindy, who is also at his side each and every week, even though the possibility exists of something bad happening at any given moment, they said you have to put those thoughts on the back burner until that time comes.

That time nearly came for Kevin on Aug. 12 when the nine-year veteran was involved in a multi-car accident at the Mt. Pleasant Speedway that briefly left him unconscious. Despite what looked like a serious accident at the time, Kevin was released from Central Michigan Community Hospital later that evening and with no major injuries.

"If that thought came to my mind every time, the chances of me racing for that win would be impossible and it wouldn't be fun," Kevin said.

For Mindy Miller she said watching her husband and father of their children race also takes some blocking out.

"I have to not think about that or I would be a basket case every time he went on the track," Mindy said. "You have to have faith and hope for the best."

Sunday's tragedy in the IndyCar world also left the entire racing world at a loss.

"We know what the risks are," said five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson in an ESPN.com article by David Newton published Oct. 18. "And I think the risk factor to driving an open-wheel car is multiplied by 10. There's got to be a big number it's multiplied by."

"But NASCAR has worked hard to keep speeds down. We have devices on the vehicle to help keep them on the ground. Yes, we have seen a few airborne lately, but we don't have those types of crashes. Talladega has its risks, but I just don't see our cars having the same issues. We have the potential, but I don't see the chances anywhere in the ballpark as the open-wheel cars."

Condolences from the local racing community also poured in on my Facebook page over the weekend on the death of Wheldon with comments like:

o "This makes me think of Dale Sr.," from Kristin Smits

o "IndyCar lost Dan Wheldon, very sad," from Angie Barber

o ". . .the racing family lost one of our own today. So sad. RIP Dan Weldon," from Kayla Hilliker and

o "Rest In Peace Dan Wheldon. Prayers to you and your family," from Chris Ryan

So next time you visit a racetrack, be it NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, local shortrack, drag strip, or any other type, be sure to give the drivers an extra "thank you" and that you appreciate all they do.